A few weeks ago we embarked on a filming schedule, which would allow us to film all of our students, in scenes, prior to the Christmas Holidays. This project is still ongoing and the first edits of the first 9 scenes look really good.

It is important to remind the students, sometimes, that the "be all and end all" is not their showreel, but more their application to the lessons and skills that they learn, not only in the studios, where we hold our regular classes, but also out on location, where the real test begins.

It's great when students leave sessions on a bit of a high, because they feel that they have had a good session, learning new skills. For me, however, the important part of the process, is when they can't quite carry the skills that they have attained in lessons through to a location shoot. It is an important stage for them, processing the skills and mastering them. There is an element of anticipation and anxiety that exists for all actors on their first day of a shoot and the skill is mastering being in control of your anxiety/fear/nerves- or whatever you wish to call it.

Some of our students have only been with us for 6 weeks and are learning this lesson very early, as it impacts on their performances. They are fortunate that we have both the time and the patience to allow them to struggle and then find a way of recovering. Many a time, in my own career, have I come home wishing I could do it all again, but better.

In truth, our students are really good and I am, not so much a harsh critic, but feel compelled to point out areas that they can and should want to improve.

Wanting to improve is the key, really. We have had a few successes in recent weeks, with some of our original students, now getting their little breakthroughs, with agents and work. Those that have achieved their recent successes, have done so as a result of improving in areas that they were not so strong, 12 months ago.

Our students are continuing to make a great impression on those who meet them, because their professional attitude and work ethic is apparent, immediately upon first meeting them.

Over the remaining weeks of this term, we will be continuing to film, but also running the regular classes and in those classes, we will be concentrating, as we have been for the past couple of weeks, on areas of weakness.

I have no doubt that all of our students 'want' to be good/successful, but they also have to 'want' to learn to be better. They have to 'want' to improve the things that are not easy to do.Everyone wishes that they could just sit down and play a piano, or a guitar and it is the reason why so many of us don't manage to do it, because it doesn't come easy. Not even to those who have a natural ability. They still have to work at it, but they have the 'want' to work at it.

Eventually, those who really 'want' to be successful, will be successful in anything that they do. Those who want to improve as actors have no alternative, other than to improve and to 'want' to. Even if the process is less enjoyable than the end result, it's there… …if you want it.